Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
consistently from 1300 ha to about 6000 ha in
2005. Figure 16.2 shows the Canadian hemp
acreage since 1998. Unlike in the EU, where
hemp acreage is driven largely by fibre produc-
tion, the vast majority of Canadian hemp is
grown to supply the increasing demand for
hemp foods in the US market for natural foods
and body care products. A recent survey indi-
cated that retail sales of hemp foods in the
USA grew by over 60% compared to 2003.
Total US retail sales are now estimated at
US$12 million/year for foods and US$50 mil-
lion for cosmetics. This volume is still small, but
its consistent upward trend suggests that
demand for hemp seeds ultimately may become
as important a driver for global hemp demand
as the fibre. The growth in North American
demand for hemp foods is driven by several
factors.
and versatile hulled hemp seeds - also called
hemp nuts - are increasingly sold in bulk to
bakeries and manufacturers of nutrition bars,
and packaged directly to consumers. The defat-
ted and milled seedcake is now sold as protein-
rich flour - at a good profit. Table 16.1 lists the
most common hemp food materials and prod-
ucts available in North America.
Improved product quality
The Canadian Prairies, where large areas of
flax and rapeseed are grown, offer a good
infrastructure for the cleaning and processing
of oilseeds. Thus, Canada now produces hemp
seeds of high quality and low THC content
necessary to meet the demands of US consum-
ers. In particular, the shelf life and the flavour
of these products are much improved over
those offered a decade ago.
Product diversity
Increased visibility of hemp
foods through court battle
Since 1997, hemp processors and food manu-
facturers in Canada and the USA have devel-
oped a wide range of hemp seed derivatives,
finished food and cosmetics products contain-
ing hemp seeds and oil. In particular, the tasty
Irritated by the growing popularity of seeds
from a plant which looks like marijuana and
still cannot be grown legally in the USA, the
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Year
2003
2004
2005
Fig. 16.2.
Hemp farming area in Canada since re-legalization.
